by Michael Oleaga
A coalition of 39 national Latino advocacy groups have called on the House of Representatives not to pass a bill that generalizes Latino immigrants for political gain.
The “Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act” (H.R. 3009) would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and make state and local jurisdictions ineligible of federal funding if they refuse to comply on reporting detained immigrants. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., introduced the bill as a response to Kathryn Stienle’s death by an undocumented immigrant in San Francisco earlier this month.
Latino advocacy groups and politicians, however, have opposed the legislation and connected the bill to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s rhetoric. In a letter sent to members of Congress, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) said passage of H.R. 3009 will affect lawmakers’ scorecard in their annual congressional scorecard — conducted by NHLA.
“This enforcement-only piecemeal bill is simply another vehicle for spreading the same lies that Donald Trump has espoused about Latino immigrants,” said NHLA Chair Hector Sanchez, who also serves as the executive director for the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. “The truth is that immigrants are less likely to be involved in crime than native-born Americans and that H.R. 3009 will not improve public safety. Congress should vote down this offensive bill and then get to work on serious immigration reform.”
In the letter, the NHLA reiterated its recommendation for a “No” vote and any similar pieces of legislation. According to NHLA, such legislation represents a “misguided response” to Steinle’s death, which has led to extensive generalizations about immigrants because of one undocumented immigrant’s actions — who was previously deported on five occasions over drug felonies.
The letter continued, “It is unacceptable when a presidential contender such as Donald Trump makes such generalizations in campaigning and equally unacceptable when members of Congress do so in legislating. No responsible public official should use this tragedy as a pretext for harsh and unproductive policies that only serve to satisfy the anti-immigrant impulses of certain politicians while doing nothing to improve public safety.”
The letter references the American Immigration Council study, which states immigrants are less likely to be criminals than U.S.-born individuals.
While acknowledging Steinle’s death was tragic, the case should not warrant a “wholesale change” in immigration policy and called for comprehensive immigration reform legislation.
The letter comes after the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing about immigration enforcement policies, which included testimony from Steinle’s father. According to a prepared statement by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the July 21 hearing focused on the Obama administration’s immigration policies and practices that are “hurting American families.” Grassley claimed the deaths of Americans by immigrants were “a direct result” of the Obama administration’s “failure to deport criminals or its tolerance of sanctuary policies.”
Among the NHLA’s 39 national Latino organizations are the Hispanic National Bar Association, League of United Latin American Citizens, NALEO Educational Fund, National Council of La Raza and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has referred H.R. 3009 as “The Donald Trump Act.” CHC Chairwoman Linda Sanchez, Democratic representative from California, said the bill is another attack on Latinos and the immigrant community.
“This Congress we’ve seen numerous anti-immigrant bills and this legislation is yet another excuse to scapegoat our community,” said Sanchez in a statement. “With this vote, House Republicans are running to embrace Donald Trump’s racist and offensive views. Donald Trump should not be setting the agenda for the United States Congress.
“Any law enforcement professional will tell you that when half of the community is too afraid to report a crime, they can’t do their job,” Sanchez said. “Withholding federal funds from jurisdictions that practice community-oriented trust policies jeopardizes the public safety of families. This bill undermines law enforcement when the real issue here is the need to pass comprehensive immigration reform. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus continues to call for smart immigration legislation that will move our country forward.”
(For the latest updates, follow Latin Post’s Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com).
